History of the Flight Jackets
As early as World War I when planes had open compartments, pilots began seeking attire to preserve warmth and comfort in the harsh temperatures of the open skies. Thus the origin of the famous “Bomber Jacket” or “Flight Jacket” was born.
Over time, there have been many variations from the unofficial and popular early leather bomber jackets of 1915 through 1917 to subsequent official military issue bomber jackets such as the 1931 “A2 Bomber Jacket.”
Historically, pilots and crews wore whatever they could acquire because no formal or official clothing was issued to address the extreme-hazardous cold and weather environments the pilots encountered in world war I. Heavy long leather jackets rapidly became popular with tight snug cuffs around the wrists, tight fit along the waists, and high collars to help protect from the cold. These are the design fundamentals that are at the essence of what traditionally we commonly perceive of as a flight jacket or bomber jacket.
At the end of world war I, the United States army started the Aviation Clothing Board and started distributing these warm leather jackets.
By the day WW II broke out, the US Air Corp was distributing the A-2 Bomber Jacket. The Navy and Marine Corp began distributing a similar jacket that was called the G-1.
As airplane sophistication progressed durring the war, planes were now flying at dramatically higher altitudes and dramatically higher speeds. Temperatures inside these planes – often flying with open compartments – plunged! And their stylish bomber jackets started to give way to a much more practical jacket with a lining of wool or fur. These new jackets were popularized by the B3 Bomber Flight Jacket, a large wool and fur lined jacket with large cargo pockets.
Ground personnel and flight crews quickly adopted the pilot’s B3 Bomber Jacket, and the new B7 Flight Jacket became the popular rage.
A decade later saw the new age of the jet with an enclosed compartment and more attention needed to be focused on the warmth, comfort, and safety of the pilots. The B-15 Flight Jacket was designed out of nylon and other synthetic materials to keep the pilot both warm and dry. The lighter weight and more flexible comfort was also appreciated. As jet technology continued to develop, the MA-1 jacket removed the fur linings because they interfered with the harness of the pilot’s parachute. Today, you can routinely find both the B-15 and the Leather MA1 Flight Jackets with and without the fur linings.
A traditional flight jacket or bomber jacket is considered both a stylish and practical item of apparel. Appropriate for a evening out on the town or a functional outdoor trip – and must be in every man’s closet.
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Black civil war leather cap pouch case $12.50 |
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civil war black leather revolver cartridge case $11.00 |
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CIVIL WAR Leather Canteen Strap $19.50 |
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HOLY Bible ANTIQUE Civil War KJV c1863 POCKET Clasp LEATHER Field Carried R.I. $90.00 |
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1862 POCKET Holy Bible CIVIL WAR Leather FIELD CARRIED Pvt Casper Stumpf NY 38th $220.00 |
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CIVIL WAR LEATHER BAG ????????? $79.99 |
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Jefferson Davis Boots – Size 10 – Black Leather – Civil War L@@K! $86.00 |
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Mosby’s Rangers James J. Williamson Library of the Civil War Leather 1982 HC $39.95 |
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Leather Gauntlets Fringe Gloves Civil War Western Cavalry, Cream Color XLarge $32.00 |
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Civil War Leather Cap Box Pouch – Western,Cavalry – BLACK $16.00 |
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Civil War Pistol Cylinder Box Pouch Leather – Western,Cavalry – BLACK $18.00 |
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Civil War Pistol Cylinder Box Pouch Leather – Western,Cavalry – BROWN $19.50 |
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Civil War Leather Cap Box Pouch – Western,Cavalry – BROWN $19.50 |
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UNUSUAL ANTIQUE LEATHER SADDLE BAGS POSSIBLY CIVIL WAR MAIL ? $225.00 |
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WILLIAM RAWLE 36 ROUND CARTRIDGE POUCH LEATHER;CIVIL WAR CARTRIDGE BOX.7702 $59.95 |
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1961 Civil War Centennial 100th anniversary pin & boxed leather diary set-Rebels $19.99 |
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Leather Saddle Canteen Strap – Civil War Western Cavalry Bullseye – BLACK $22.50 |
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Civil War Bayonet with leather case $49.95 |
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orig CIVIL WAR u.s. cavalry pistol Cartridge Box leather CTG BOX union $325.00 |
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Civil War Era Model 1864 .58 Cal Leather Cartridge Box $379.99 |
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CIVIL WAR WALLET (STYLE) LEATHER W/CURRENCY $40.00 |
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Antique Leather Civil War Cartridge Box $36.00 |
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Civil War or Indian Wars Leather Sword/Saber or Waist Belt w/1851 Eagle Buckle $29.99 |
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Civil War Black Leather Shield Cap Pouch Box Pistol Rifle Musket US CS CSA $16.95 |
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Civil War Leather Cap Pouch Brown $18.00 |
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Civil War / Western Leather Pistol Holster US & CS CSA Colt Remington Revolver $25.95 |
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CIVIL WAR CONFEDERATE TIN DRUM CANTEEN W/ LEATHER SHOULDER STRAP $126.50 |
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ORIGINAL CIVIL WAR ERA ENFIELD NIPPLE PROTECTOR WITH LEATHER AND CHAIN -CLEAN $36.00 |
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Civil War Leather NCO Officer Belt & Spoon Wreath Buckle Confederate CS CSA $29.95 |
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CIVIL WAR LEATHER CARTRIDGE AMMO BELT POUCH BAG / STRAP BUCKLE $80.00 |
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CIVIL WAR LEATHER CARTRIDGE AMMO POUCH BAG ? $45.00 |
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Leather Saddle Canteen Strap – Civil War Western Cavalry Bullseye – BROWN $22.50 |
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CIVIL WAR US CONFEDERATE 3 BAND SHARPS SPRINGFIELD LEATHER RIFLE SLING $9.00 |
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CIVIL WAR US CONFEDERATE HENRY LEATHER RIFLE SLING W/ STEEL HOOK $9.00 |
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Civil War Enfield Leather Musket/Rifle Sling Confederate CS US CSA $18.95 |
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civil war reenactor leather gauntlets XLarge $23.00 |
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Rifle Saddle Leather Scabbard for Civil War, Western, Cavalry – BROWN $64.50 |
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CIVIL WAR LEATHER PISTOL CARTRIDGE BOX $18.00 |
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Antique Pair Civil War Era Wooden/Leather CRUTCHES $9.99 |
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Civil War Leather Pistol Cylinder Box Officers CS US CSA $18.95 |
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Cavalry Officer Leather Gauntlets, Civil War, New $50.00 |
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Vintage Leather Bib Apron Welding, Blacksmith,Woodworking, Civil War Reenactment $20.00 |
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ANTIQUE CIVIL WAR BOOT SHOE leather museum display 19c 1800s OLD AS THE HILLS $9.99 |
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Vintage Civil War leather pistol cartridge box $110.00 |
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MEMORIES BY FANNIE A BEERS CIVIL WAR BOOK LEATHER GOLD EMBOSSED HIGH GRADE !!!!! $0.99 |
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NICE CIVIL WAR NAVY CUTLASS WITH LEATHER SCABBARD $256.25 |
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Memoir ULYSSES S. Grant LEATHER 1885 Services CIVIL WAR President TRAVELS $60.00 |
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CIVIL WAR LEATHER CAP BOX ORIGINAL $14.95 |
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Civil War reenactors leather coin purse….ships FREE in USA $7.50 |
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1866 History Great Rebellion Civil War Leather Bound Steel Engravings 778 pgs $99.00 |
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Pioneer Shovel and Leather Case – USED – Civil War – L@@K! $29.99 |
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Cartridge Box Sling Black Leather – USED – Civil War – L@@K! $11.49 |
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Waist Belt wBrass US Buckle Black Leather – (1A) – USED – Civil War – L@@K! $9.99 |
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Waist Belt wBrass US Buckle Black Leather – (1B) – USED – Civil War – L@@K! $9.99 |
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Waist Belt wBrass CS Buckle Black Leather – USED – Civil War – L@@K! $9.99 |
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Officers Belt wBrass Federal Eagle Buckle Black Leather – USED – Civil War $9.99 |
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Waist Belt or Carbine Sling Black Leather – USED – Civil War $9.99 |
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Canteen Strap Black Leather – USED – Civil War $4.99 |
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Jefferson Davis Boots – Sizes 8-13 – Black Leather – Civil War L@@K! $86.00 |
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Officers Document Bag – Black Leather – Brass Buckles – USED – Civil War – L@@K $38.87 |
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Cartridge Box Sling Black Leather – 84″ X-long – (1A) – USED – Civil War – L@@K! $12.99 |
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Flag Carrier, Black Leather,New,US Made Civil War $45.00 |
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NICE QUALITY CIVIL WAR STYLE BLACK LEATHER ENFIELD BAYONET SCABBARD FROG $12.99 |
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KEPI CIVIL WAR BLUE STRIPE C.S. GRAY 1st PATTERN WOOL,LEATHER SIZES XL-L-M–S $23.95 |
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ORIGINAL CIVIL WAR OFFICER SOLDIER TIN TYPE IN LEATHER CASE HIGHLIGHTED W/SWORD $119.99 |
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CAVALRY SABER CIVIL WAR SWORD CSA Leather & wire grip $54.95 |
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Civil War Calvary Sword Leather Knot Hanger $16.00 |
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CIVIL WAR WHITE BUFF LEATHER SLING – MISSISSIPPI RIFLE $950.00 |
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Woman’s Work In The Civil War Full Leather 1867 Book Historical Woman Movement $169.99 |
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US MODEL 1855 CIVIL WAR BAYONET AND SCABBARD SPRINGFIELD TOWER LEATHER $95.00 |
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British Civil War P1853 Enfield/ Snider Rifle Sling – Brown Leather (Repro) $35.00 |
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Post Civil War U.S Military Jan, 10 1873 McKeever’s Patent Leather Bullet Case $50.00 |
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Antique Tin Type Civil War Soldier Hand Painted Gold Foil Buttons Leather Bound $200.00 |
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CIVIL WAR LEATHER PISTOL CARTRIDGE BOX BROWN $18.00 |
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CIVIL WAR DRUM STICK HOLDER BROWN LEATHER HAND MADE US $12.00 |
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LEATHER POSSIBLE BAG SHOULDER BAG FUR TRADE RENDEZVOUS MOUNTAIN MAN CIVIL WAR $25.00 |
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CIVIL WAR DRUM STICK HOLDER BLACK LEATHER HAND MADE US $12.00 |
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CIVIL WAR BERDAN SHARPSHOOTER LEATHER LEGGINGS HAND MADE BRASS BUCKLES GAITERS $75.00 |
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LEATHER HAVERSACK CIVIL WAR FUR TRADE RENDEZVOUS HANDMADE MOUNTAIN MAN $50.00 |
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LEATHER BELT POUCH MOUNTAIN MAN REDEZVOUS FUR TRADE CIVIL WAR HANDMADE SCA $25.00 |
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Boys Waistbelt w/ Leather Keeper, Russet, Civil War $12.00 |
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civil war era sword & original leather officer belt scabbard officer staff&field $1,900.00 |
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Leather Fife Carrier for Belt, Brown,Civil War Musician $22.00 |
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Civil War Brogans MENS or Boys WOOD PEGGED Soles Black LEATHER Size 5 Boots $0.99 |
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Civil War Brogans Boys Brown LEATHER Size 4 Boots $0.99 |
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Civil War Belt, Used, Leather, Military, Hooks and Clips $0.99 |
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1 YANKEE BLUE CIVIL WAR LEATHER HAT NEW! $34.95 |
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civil war leather naval fuse box with tins $11.99 |
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U.S. Belt Plate – Leather Remnant – Dug at Seven Pines – Civil War $144.00 |
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Pistol Cartridge Box – Black Leather – Civil War – L@@K! $17.49 |
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Carbine Cartridge Box w/Wooden Block – Black Leather – Civil War – L@@K! $27.50 |
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Brogans, Black Leather, Size 12, Civil War Shoes $63.99 |
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Brogans, Black Leather, Size 9, Civil War Shoes $63.99 |
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Brogans, Black Leather, Size 8, Civil War Shoes $63.99 |
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HORSTMANN 1850 US CIVIL WAR FOOT OFFICER SWORD NICE QUALITY w/ LEATHER SCABBARD $189.89 |
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CIVIL WAR CAVALRY BLACK LEATHER BOOTS SIZE 12 $132.00 |
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CIVIL WAR CAVALRY BLACK LEATHER BOOTS SIZE 11 $132.00 |
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CIVIL WAR CAVALRY BLACK LEATHER BOOTS SIZE 10 $132.00 |
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CIVIL WAR CAVALRY BLACK LEATHER BOOTS SIZE 9 $132.00 |
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Cavalry Leather Canteen Strap, Black, Civil War, New $23.00 |
